By the time Senri pointedly sat him down by that big table in the massive room that was half infirmary (he said was called the Dawn's Respite), Raha was quite glad for the fact that afterward they were supposed to walk to the expedition's camp. After waking up in the Warrior's tight embrace and taking a shower together, his lover insisted on him wearing a set of borrowed from his clothes that, for obvious reasons, were far, far too big for him. But – he had to agree – a fresh change of clothes, and especially considering their soft, black materials, felt much better for his sore body than his dirty clothes. He only kept his boots, while his man gleefully took his outfit alongside him when he left him here, saying he would get it to this 'Tataru' person Raha didn't meet yet.

Considering strange sparks in his lover's pale eyes, he wasn't sure what that was about. Still, he settled (carefully and blushing at the sore sensation in his nether regions) in one of the chairs and set to wait patiently for his brunette's return, looking about the room with a life interest. If he wasn't so uncertain, perhaps he would dare to explore the shelves set by the walls of the area, but not wishing to be caught nosing about, he only eyed some of the strange devices displayed there, trying to imagine what they were intended for.

Hearing the sound of the footsteps – more than one set – coming from the corridor leading back to the bedrooms, he stilled, then sighed and crossed his forearms on top of the table before him, in thought praying that Senri – who disappeared behind the other door leading out of the room – will be back swiftly. He hated how needy that made him feel, but at the same time, in new surroundings and barely knowing anyone here… he felt a tad overwhelmed without his reassuring presence… Not to mention his experience with strangers – in general – wasn't the best. And if the one of the incoming company was Thancred… he wasn't proud about how uncomfortable made him the thought of facing the Hyur again now knowing that it was him who Senri used to – if that's truly not the case anymore – have feelings for. How – as Senri accused – jealous it made him feel.

And despite the fact that his Warrior seemed to enjoy that – considering his yesterday's reaction – he didn't want to… scare him off by acting unpleasantly about that. It seemed obvious that Senri very much cared about his friends, and who was he to feel… possessive of him?

Despite his lover's a tad… shocking plans – with that fuzzily remembered talk about Raha moving with him… and all – he tried to keep at least a part of his mind and heart ready for the moment when the Warrior realized how unfit he was for him.

When the door between the corridor and the room he was in was pushed open, he smiled somewhat shakily toward the incoming company – trying to make it polite – but he couldn't help paling considerably at the sight of terrifying Y'shtola that walked in, accompanied by a tall blonde Seeker who at the sight of him grinned with a tad… suspicious cheer. Honestly, he was somewhat caught off guard by the man's eyes, considering they were as mismatched as his own, if white-blue instead of red-cyan. He wondered briefly if the man faced the same ridicule for that as he did growing up while the apparent couple – or so it seemed to look like – neared the table after exchanging brief looks.

"Good morning," he said awkwardly, leaning back on his arms if they were crossed on the table, hoping to somewhat cover his instant nervousness.

"Good morning, G'raha," Y'shtola replied in a cool voice, then motioned one of the seats across from him toward her companion, who easily took one, sprawling in it with confidence that suggested he was well accustomed to his surroundings. "Rahm, this is Senri's… friend I told you about, G'raha Tia. G'raha, let me introduce you to my mate, O'rahm Xoorha, the Warrior of Light."

At that, G'raha blinked rapidly, staring at the blonde Seeker with unbidden interest. He didn't know there was more than one Warrior in Eorzea, considering that Senri had been on everyone's lips since his ship arrived…

"Ah, nice to meet you," he smiled at the man hesitantly and was a tad blown away when the blonde sent him a downright blinding grin.

"Likewise," he replied cheerfully, leaning against the table between them in a pose reflecting Raha's before looking back at his companion. "Would you mind getting us breakfast, love?"

"Not at all," the female replied with a smile and much warmer look toward the man – which wasn't so surprising if they were mated, he supposed, then with a brush of her hand on the Seeker's wide shoulder, headed toward the door that earlier Senri went through. Raha wasn't proud of the relief he felt when she left, but she really intimidated him, and by the chill in her teal eyes when she looked his way, it wasn't hard to guess that, like him, she didn't see him to be fit for Senri.

"Excuses, G'raha," the blonde said, and when the redhead's eyes swiveled toward him, the Seeker smiled sheepishly, briefly pointing toward the door his lover left behind. "I know Shtola can be intimidating... but you must understand that she – and all of the Scions, pretty much – are extremely protective of Sen. As he is of them, too. But considering how he looks like… I think you can imagine that he does tend to elect… unwanted attention, yes?"

"I…" he hesitated, then cleared his throat awkwardly and sighed. "I can imagine, yes. And I'm very far from blaming Y'shtola for being suspicious, especially if she…" he bit his tongue and flushed involuntarily, looking away from the white-blue eyes. He really didn't want to discuss his reputation back in Old Sharlayan with a stranger… especially one that could repeat that to Senri before he had a chance to explain that to his lover. And could only hope that Sen would believe that it was undeserved… even after the way they met.

"If she…?" O'rahm repeated in a friendly tone, and Raha looked back to his eyes, getting a tad caught off guard by how the male's blue eye seemed a tad… more purple and darker than before. But the Seeker's smile was so open and friendly… he couldn't help but smile back, putting it away as a figment of his imagination.

"If she knows about my reputation back in Old Sharlayan," he replied easily and blinked with surprise at the involuntary slip. Huh?

"She does," the blonde said smoothly if his smile didn't change. "And she's worried about a man that much more experienced taking advantage of Senri's inexperience, to be honest with you."

"More experienced…?" He heard himself whisper, internally quite baffled. "He's my first lover, so I wouldn't call myself more experienced."

The male's lips twitched slightly, but his eyes didn't change the intensity with which they held his gaze ensnared – and he quite wondered why he didn't notice it before…

"I see, it is baffling, however, then that you would have this sort of… gossip surrounding you, isn't it?" he said easily.

"It was a lie made up and spread by a female that wanted me to join her menagerie and was offended when I refused," again he more of heard himself say that intended to do so. "Back in Old Sharlayan, it seems to be a thing with some of the professors and members of the Forum."

Now O'rahm's expression hardened visibly.

"…menagerie?" he repeated slowly.

"It's a term I heard floating about growing up," he explained, somewhat caught up in the man's stare when something much, much darker than before filled his mismatched eyes. "To my understanding back then, it is a group of students mostly that once called up by their… patron would entertain them sexually. Sometimes in exchange for higher grades or better treatment, but most of the time because their looks would catch unwanted attention and they were threatened into accepting."

"And you refused that… favor?" O'rahm asked softly, leaning back in his seat. He looked calm, but Raha couldn't resist the impression that the very air around him seemed… darker somehow. And though he apparently missed that before, the tips of his blonde hair in some places also seemed darker.

"I was sixteen and mostly thought it a joke," he shrugged helplessly, feeling his face heat up with embarrassment at his naivety back then. "Growing up, I read a lot, especially books about heroes and adventures… and such, and I think I recall that I had this notion… of waiting for a person that I would love before sleeping with anyone," he barely noticed that the door opened. Two figures carrying full, steaming platters walked in. "Naïve, I know, but when one day in the library I was approached by Maran, who then, despite being a respected professor in the Studium I heard of having this… menagerie I mentioned, offered me the place in it… I guess I was probably as surprised as repulsed. I laughed in her face, pretty much, and considering that I wasn't in any way tied to the Studium, I guess I thought myself safe… which was very wrong. Since she couldn't, apparently, affect the Students of Baldesion, that were my official guardians, and after some… pranks I pulled, it was well known that no matter how much they wanted, Forum was unable to get me removed from the island… she spread rumors that I'm a depraved whore who would not only sleep with anyone but be open to things…" he trailed off with surprised blink when Senri appeared out of nowhere – in his vision – very carefully and slowly settling the platter his hands where busy with, then pulled back the seat next to him, sat down and curled in his massive form, resting his right hand- somewhat shaky – on top of his thigh and his forehead over Raha's shoulder, audibly taking a deep breath. Unsure, he curled his hands around his lover's, resting his cheek against the top of his inky hair.

Y'shtola, with an unreadable expression, set her platter on the other side of the table, then gracefully took place by her lover, thinning her lips and remaining silent.

"G'raha…" O'rahm drawled slowly as if carefully picking words, and when his red-cyan eyes moved back to him, again they were caught in the snare of white-purple irises. "…tell me, after that, I imagine that it wasn't very pleasant…?"

"It was hell," he heard himself say, and he felt Senri's big hand curl harder about his thigh but could not look away from the blonde's eyes. "I was already an outcast among the students since they believed that my eyes were marking me as… unlucky, and that's why my tribe got rid of me, sending me there alone as a kit. The Students, by their directive from Gulaf Baldesion, were meant to take care of me, but they didn't really seem to know what to do with a five-year-old Seeker, so they mostly left me to my own devices, providing only what was necessary to survive. I felt… ignored, and when tad older, I started acting out by mostly playing pranks… believing, I think, that any attention was better than what I was used to. That didn't help with the way that most considered me a freak-eyed tribe-reject, however… And then I hit puberty, got accosted by Maran, and after she spread those rumors… None seemed to have trouble believing the worst about me, and I learned very quickly that there is a type of attention that one… no matter how neglected, could feel didn't want to receive. It went on for years… when I would be made offers that made my skin crawl something beyond fierce, and considering how apparently my name became a thing to spice up a conversation, it became so widespread… None sincere would even dare to be seen talking to me, and those less… I wish they wouldn't. When I was offered a spot in this expedition by Rammbroes, since he's part of the Students, and heard that I earned my Archon's marks by presenting a thesis about Allagan Empire, I agreed eagerly, thinking that in Eorzea, I could get… a fresh start, so to say, but I couldn't be more wrong, I guess…."

"Why…?" O'rahm asked, still holding his gaze captive. And Raha wished he could look away because of the way Senri shook…

"Because when I boarded the ship heading here, I found out that Maran was part of it, too, taking the position of designed healer," he said instead, and his lover froze while a slight smirk tilted O'rahm's lips briefly. "And apparently decided to entertain herself by turning that three-week long sea voyage into a nightmare for me… quite literally, as after the very first night I woke up to her trying to climb on top of me…" he flinched slightly at the aggressive if low growl that rumbled against his shoulder. "…I didn't feel safe to sleep again, so I started to avoid that, sometimes catching short naps throughout the days in places around the ship that I thought more… safe. This wasn't always the case, but I guess I managed to get here without her doing… that to me. When we docked in Limsa and Rammbroes insisted on staying the night there since it was quite late… well, I wasn't happy at first thinking that she might try something again… but considering that it was when I met Sen…"

"I see…" O'rahm cleared his throat a tad awkwardly, hesitated, then sighed. "And again: Senri is your very first lover, yes?"

"Rahm…" his lover growled a warning, tilting his head to look toward the male if like this Raha couldn't see his expression even if he could look away from the blonde.

"Yes," he replied, and Senri flinched slightly, then sighed, and his arm moved from his thigh to span his waist instead, petting his hip soothingly.

"What are your intentions toward him, then?" the blonde Warrior asked easily.

"My intentions…?" he hesitated, frowning with confusion. "I don't believe that I understand… I don't have intentions toward him, I suppose. I think sooner or later, he will realize how unfit I am to be with him, and until then, I'm happy to enjoy his attention while it lasts. I hope it will last as long as possible before he gets bored of me since I think I'm in love with…" he choked when a big, hot hand snapped up and covered his mouth.

"Enough," Senri growled toward his friends, then his arms unceremoniously pulled Raha in his lap and coiled around him possessively. "That's not something I want to hear this way, Rahm. Happy now, Shtola?"

Blinking rapidly as if awakened from a dream, surrounded by his lover's heat and sweet scent, he melted into him with a sigh, closing his eyes and letting his head drop against Senri's shoulder. In a weird way, he felt almost drained, but Warrior's tight embrace felt soothing and comforting… Safe, and he could only curl into his arms with a relieved purr after lifelong missing of such pleasure.

He thought in a daze that was what probably ensnared his heart so swiftly. The way Senri tended to hold him like he was precious and wanted, without any effort on his part, with his bigger, warm form making him feel safe and cared for. Like he cared, period. And that was as new as it was intoxicating.

"I'm sorry, Sen," he heard O'rahm's quiet voice and tilted his head out to look uncertainly at the blonde. "And you, G'raha, I'm really, really sorry… but I think that's for the best, too, so don't blame Shtola. I offered, and she was worried that considering those rumors… you may use Senri's tendency to let those he cares about walk all over him. It's true," he sighed with resignation when Senri growled toward him, tightening his arms around him. The blonde Seeker rolled his mismatched eyes and leaned back in his seat, taking hold of his lover's hand and lacing their fingers. …and if Raha wasn't seeing things, his eyes were back to white and blue instead of white-purple. O'rahm noticed his stare and smiled at him weakly. "It's my Echo, G'raha. It allows me to pull the truth out of anyone. All and complete truth, no matter what you would wish to hide. And last night, hearing of my mate's worries, I offered to use it on you to reassure her that you won't hurt Senri… with premeditation, I mean. But after hearing all of this… I do think that's for the best, especially if that bitch is here," he sent a downright vicious grin toward Senri.

"And I'm sorry for being so suspicious… but I really didn't know any of it," added Y'shtola carefully, and Raha's eyes drifted to her if he was still surprised to see much more warmth in her teal eyes when she caught his gaze. "I used to study a tad separate from other students, but those rumors were… very prevalent, G'raha, as you said… And seeing you here and how… enamored Senri seemed to be with you even in the depths of a fever… As Rahm mentioned, I was worried because Senri tends to be… soft with those who earn his friendship, much less an actual lover… more so than a normal person."

"I…" he hesitated, then cleared his throat and, despite quite understanding her issues, felt his face burn with mortification at everything he said… and especially what he almost spilled. Not daring to look up into Senri's face now, he kept his eyes on his friends instead. "I think I… well, I would prefer to be warned beforehand, obviously, but if it does make you… feel better, I don't really… blame you, Y'shtola, O'rahm. And actually, I think it's quite… admirable that you care for him that much… and all," he finished awkwardly, involuntarily leaning deeper into his lover's arms.

His only real friend before, Krile Mayer Baldesion, would be like that too before she left Old Sharlayan. She would worry and mother him to no end, being older than him (and perhaps feeling guilty about how her grandsire left him to rot in that city), so he quite understood and appreciated their concern for Senri. She had Echo, too, if she never actually told him what hers exactly did, but growing interested in that and looking it up in Noumenon, Raha knew it could come with different… quirks for each person sometimes, rare as it was in itself. He wondered briefly if, being Warrior, Senri had Echo, too… which was likely, and if yes, what would it do… And, perhaps later, he could ask about that… if he dares after this whole… thing.

"I should have stopped him when I realized, babe… but hearing that…" his lover breathed against his ear, soothingly brushing his hand up and down Raha's shoulder, but feeling too unsure, he still didn't dare to look into his impossibly beautiful face, instead hiding his blush against his throat. "I know it's too soon for you to trust me with things like that, my cute Raha, but I'm… glad to know so I can take better care of you in the future, okay? And a lot of that… adds meaning to the way how… uncertain you get. And, honestly, why didn't you smack me over the head for being too overbearing… As a lot of my friends would already do in your place."

"I…" he hesitated, swallowing thickly, then sighed softly. "I l-like how you are… with me, Sen. I just… don't want you to feel… constrained or get… annoyed… Or something… I don't really know how… I mean… You're so… so sweet and considerate… and beautiful… you could have anyone else and not…."

"I want you," Senri purred into his ear, sending a shiver down his spine and his tail curled with bliss. Thaliak, but he had it so bad for his deep, rumbling voice that it couldn't be normal… Blushing hotter at the unbidden pang of arousal, he closed his eyes, pressing his nose against his lover's skin and getting instantly near drunk on his sweet scent, only making it worse for his body. "Only you, babe, because you were meant to be mine. Literally."

"Huh…?" he hummed with confusion.

"Ah… it's a long and complicated story, Raha, but… when you fell asleep last night, my Echo showed me a vision… That showed you were meant to be my soulmate, babe."

"What are you talking about…?" he heard O'rahm ask, but feeling impossibly soothed, he only curled deeper into his Warrior's big form, enjoying the way Senri's arms drew tighter around him.

"His Ancient, Damon…" he heard said above his head but didn't have a clue what that was supposed to mean. "I saw him. He was Ares's lover, and they intended to Bond… long before Hades or Hythlodaeus were born, apparently. But his mother – Damon's, I mean – took issue with it and looked like she used her ability to manipulate others' gifts to turn Ares's against him. We think… because I had a chat with Hades after seeing that… But we think that she forced Ares to make Damon hate him since that was the situation that he was born in. So if she didn't… and they went through with that…" his arms around him grew even more possessive.

"Fucking bitch…" he heard the blonde hiss under his breath. "Azeyma, Sen, I'm so sorry… I know how disappointed you were when they told you that Ares never Bonded with anyone… Especially after they found me for Shtola..."

"I… Well, Hades had an idea…." Senri hesitated audibly, then sighed. "He said he's going to ask the others, and maybe it's going to be possible to fix it."

"…how?" Y'shtola whispered.

"By going to that time instead of Elpis," his Warrior said, and his friends gasped. "I know it sounds insane… but you should have seen… Hades was even more upset about that than me, to be frank. And he said that Damon had the skill that allowed him to bend reality – whatever that's supposed to mean – so if they decide to go through with it… perhaps that whole situation can be fixed in our timeline. I'm not sure about that – or if then Ares would still… sacrifice himself for me, obviously, but… all I heard about him, guys… I agreed with Hades that if it is possible… I will be willing to risk it."

"It's… a lot," O'rahm said slowly, then sighed. "But I get that, Sen. I really do. Not only because if it works, you get the ability…" he trailed off on a slight gasp, then chuckled sheepishly. "No need to elbow me, love. Yeah, I get the message… But what I meant to say, buddy, I did talk with Hyth about it a few times, and I think that whatever idea comes out of this – if it does – you can count on his voice, too. Themis's, too, for certain, if it would in some way bring back his mentor. He likes you just fine, but you know how starry-eyed he gets whenever someone mentions Ares. Gaia… I don't know, 'cause she wasn't thrilled to know she wasn't really supposed to end up as she did… but I guess that's three against one in the worst case, so I like your chances."

"What… is all that supposed to mean?" he finally asked, forgetting his embarrassment about 'almost-slip' and leaning away to look in Senri's face.

"It's… complicated, babe, and I rather explain it when we know more about our friends' ideas," his lover said carefully, then inclined his head to kiss his cheek. "Now… if you don't mind, your breakfast is growing cold," he chuckled, motioning with his chin toward the table, and Raha blinked, turning his eyes toward the platter set on it before them. "And after.. we still have to go to that camp so you can pick up your things, and I can tell them to get lost… but tell me, babe…" he caught his chin in two fingers delicately and turned his face back to him. The redhead blinked with surprise seeing his eyes – the pale irises more than ever reminiscent of ice as a slightly predatory smirk tilted his gorgeous lips. He was mostly surprised by a nearly brutal pang of arousal at the sight of the downright ruthless expression of those ice-blue eyes, even when his lover, with unmatched tenderness, brushed his thumb over his lower lip. The contrast of it seemed so dazzling… "…that woman, Maran… she wouldn't happen to be Elzen with long, dark hair, hm?"

"…how do you know?" he asked with astonishment.

"I had a feeling," Senri purred, if his eyes were still just… frost-bound when he leaned in to brush his lips against the corner of his mouth before looking across the table over his shoulder. "Do you feel like walking with us after breakfast, Rahm?"

"Don't mind if I do," Raha heard the blonde say, and when he looked toward him, that… darker aura around him seemed to be back if his smile was still pleasant while he pulled their platter closer between himself and Y'shtola, who sent him an indulgent smile. "But, Sen, when we're free… What do you think of expanding our… hobbies to Old Sharlayan?" O'rahm asked his lover mysteriously, and the redhead looked between them with confusion when Senri leaned back in his seat, freeing his hands to pull their platter closer. Still, when Raha – with some uncertainty – tried to get off his lap, it earned him a chiding look, and his lover's long, black tail curled about his waist, keeping him in a place like an ink-black leash. And considering that reminded him a few other times it would do that… he flushed darkly, folding his arms over his lap, and dropped his eyes, hoping that his heart would soon jump down from his throat.

"Oh…?" Senri hummed at his friend without looking toward him as he set plates before them. "Any particular reason for the haste…? If I remember right, we're supposed to go there eventually."

"Mhmm… but from what G'raha said before you came in, it sounds like a… especially rich playground, Sen, and I'm… hungry for the prey it offers. Ul'dah has been getting dull of late, you said so yourself the last time, and I'm inclined to agree."

"I see… Yeah, can ask Hyth when he's free to give us a lift there, I suppose," Senri said neutrally, smiling across the table. "In exchange, though, you'll help me get… certain type of this prey you mentioned, hm?"

"No problem," O'rahm grinned at him toothily, and that aura around him seemed to dim.

"They like to hunt together occasionally," said Y'shtola with a gentle smile toward him, then gracefully took offered by her lover cup of tea. She sipped it carefully, then set it down on the table next to her and tossed Raha a careful look. "I hope you won't mind me asking – since we're all adults here, obviously – but… you do seem a tad… uncomfortable, G'raha. Is it something I could help you with…?"

He froze, feeling his face blaze with a blush, and wondered how could she… see that.

"That would be very much appreciated," Senri said neutrally, smiling toward her sheepishly. "I'm afraid that I've been a tad too… enthusiastic with him."

"Sen…!" he squeaked embarrassingly, feeling his face grow even hotter despite the fact that Y'shtola only nodded, without any… judgment in her teal eyes, before sending him a slight, reassuring smile, wrapping her hand around her cup.

"Believe me, G'raha, I understand that you might be embarrassed to discuss this… but if you would be interested, I can not only help you with discomfort but, more importantly, teach you how to do that yourself," she said softly and that… caught his attention something fierce instantly. Her pale cheeks colored slightly when she tossed a look from under her lashes at her lover before looking toward him again, dragging her fingertip over the rim of her cup. "Being mated to a Warrior… it does tend to come with some occasional need for such skill, as the Blessing made their… stamina far, far above natural, and especially if you're both so inexperienced… I imagine you might use a little boost coming from magic, that's all."

"Ah…" his face felt like it would burn away at this point, but all things considered… "I would… appreciate that if you could teach me. If I have to warn you… that I never tried to touch magic, I don't know if I will be a very… satisfying student."

"Won't hurt to try," she replied with a smile, and he relaxed, thinking that like this… she wasn't so scary anymore.

"I completely suck with magic," his lover said dramatically, and his friends chuckled, nodding when Raha tossed him a surprised look. "Hence Shtola's my designed healer whenever I fuck up in a fight. But if you learn to heal, my cute Raha, I'll reserve you as my personal healer, hm?" he placed a quick peck on his cheek, then chuckled, handing him a fork.

"I'll… do my best!" he breathed, feeling his chest swell with hope. Because if he was serious… it not only meant that he didn't mind that 'almost-slip' but that be a way for him to be useful to him and… stay. And, perhaps, someday… Senri could return his feelings, too…

"I have no doubt," his Warrior chuckled, wrapping his free arm around his waist as they set to their meal.


In the daytime, that camp was very much more lively, with scholars and – to Senri's surprise – engineers scurrying about the tents, if many of them froze with surprised expressions when they strode in confidently. Well, he and Rahm did, while his cute redhead looked heartbreakingly uncertain, keeping his gorgeous eyes down and, at some point, even attempting to free his hand from Senri's grip. He allowed that only to wrap his arm around his lover's shoulders instead, pointedly sending him a reassuring grin when he looked surprised by that, to blush again, but since he relaxed visibly, the Warrior took it for a win.

After hearing that story… he really was determined to reassure his lover that he was absolutely ecstatic to let the whole world know that Raha's wondrous self was his now, and if someone had an issue… well, tough luck.

It was also part of the reason why he asked Rahm to accompany them – and he knew that his friend, better than his lover, understood what it meant: very public execution.

Years ago, when Hythlodaeus brought the younger Seeker to their compound, naming him Shtola's soulmate… well, they were baffled by it, but he – with his penance for the stories of such – wasn't that surprised when it didn't take long for one of his best friends to fall for him. And once, during a tad… inebriated late-night chat, they discovered that they share certain views at the balance of the world around them… Well, they quickly grew to be friends, sharing a hobby that few but Shtola knew of.

Preying on predators, to put it plainly.

Senri, with his looks, would often play the lure, pulling their intended prey into secluded spaces, while with his incredibly useful Echo, Rahm would make sure the delivered punishment fit the crimes. They practiced that to perfection in Ishgard, later jumping between all of the city-states and treating them as their playgrounds when official ways to deal with those who thought themselves above the law failed.

When he accepted the title of the Champion of Eorzea, for his price, he demanded all of the city-states that wanted his protection to submit to his condition: make rape punishable by death. At first, he thought that was enough to scare those… predators from their games, but as later proven wrong, they adjusted instead, coming up with ways to scurry about the lines with the help of their money or influence most of the time. Those caught, if there was doubt about their guilt, the heads of the city-states were bound to summon one of the members of the Scions who possessed Echo to prove their guilt. Counting five now: him, Rahm, Minfilia, Krile, and Ysale, they each had their take on how their Echo worked.

His let him experience the memory of others in explicit detail, and more often than not, was activated by an especially strong emotion. Predictably, he learned, a few things left a higher emotional impact than rape, and experiencing it either by the victim's or the offender's mind was… extremely unpleasant. Still, he took it for the price of delivering justice to those who would otherwise slip it. And for that, whenever he was the one that was available when the summons arrived – he added a condition the leadership of Alliance agreed on: proven guilty, he had a pick of punishment and, more often than not, delivered it himself.

Nothing made his inner beast purr as fiercely as the screams of those he did deem guilty… well, until Raha, of course, because his lover's cuteness had his beast rolling over with deafening purrs and begging to find ways to please him. And now, to know that bitch he graciously spared that night… that she was responsible for years of his lover's abuse, and then had the temerity to attempt to rape him…?

…HIS soulmate…?

Because in his head since last night, that's exactly what Raha was to him, even if he couldn't really mate him. But if not for that Twelve-forsaken interference on Damon's mother's part... and if by chance they didn't choose to escape Sundering, that's exactly what Raha would be: his destined lover.

His to coddle, pamper, and love… and especially protect and keep safe.

And after that earlier… almost-slip that need burned in his veins like an inferno. If… Raha could accept the fact that he wasn't really a hero the stories made him up to be. And this visit to the camp at the edge of Mor Dhona, in a way, was a test of that, too. His beast was utterly enamored with the redhead – and Echo proved that Raha literally should be his match – but… he wasn't sure that his lover could handle the worst side of his temper. He was sweet and considerate, so unbearably fiercely sparking all of his instincts into overdrive, making his crave to protect him… But what it meant for others most of the time didn't really apply to Senri's brand of protection.

Because if he couldn't protect, everything inside him craved to punish instead – restoring the equilibrium his mother taught him of as a kit.

Their broken world was full of people that made it worse by their very existence… and he needed to make them go back into the aetherial sea screaming. To perhaps leave an impression on their soul that in their next life will make them… reconsider their ideas. That was his way of making their world a better place, and in his personal opinion, at least it was efficient. And that was what he and Rahm bonded over, then proven right for themselves, since if the predator was dead, it couldn't hurt another innocent by default.

And both Ancient and Hydealyn's given gifts were extremely helpful with that task if they did need to be discreet about their side activities, considering that few would understand that world-view and even fewer predators-in-power would appreciate the very idea of their threat – or annoyed them by getting more clever and slipping.

"What's our play?" Rahm asked in an easy-going tone, keeping his hand folded on his neck as his mismatched eyes trailed over the tents and the present men and women. "And aren't those… some of them, I mean, Cid's engineers?"

"Looks like it… Babe, that man you mentioned last night, the leader… where can I find him?" he asked, smiling soothingly when Raha's red-cyan eyes darted to him.

"Umm… that would be his tent," the redhead whispered, pointing toward the biggest tent set by the collapsed ruin of a building half-frozen in the crystal. "Rammbroes is his name, if I don't see him right now…" he trailed off, growing uncertain again as his eyes darted to the sides, then dropped to the ground again.

Looking about, Senri spotted what had his lover so… nervous, seeing the way few of the people present by the tents sent his redhead a downright shockingly open mocking looks, whispering between each other. To those, he sent a grin – if it was more of a silent snarl – before moving in front of Raha and delicately setting his hands on his lover's shoulders, waiting patiently until red-cyan eyes rose to his with uncertainty.

"Babe… you're mine now, remember? And say a word, and all those who dare to look down on you for that…" he motioned with his head toward those bastards. "…I'll gladly tear their heads off and give them to you as a prize," he said softly, leaning in to rest his forehead against his lover's. "I'm nothing but proud that you would agree to be mine, gorgeous, never doubt that, but you have to know… Have to remember, my cute Raha, that I'm the Twelve-forsaken Warrior of Light in this land, and my word is a law by itself. And to look dawn on my lover, they're offending my pride, and by definition, I can do whatever I want to them, okay? And considering how much blood I spill in their defense… none of the leaders of the city-states would object."

"Not to mention we're in Mor Dhona," Rahm chimed in a friendly tone. "And here, in Revenant's Toll and around it, the Scions are held in especially high regard, plus officially it's a no-man land. The law of the city-states doesn't really apply or stands higher than ours, and coming into our turf…" he trailed off meaningfully, and when Senri looked up, his grin had an especially sharp edge. He knew that the one he sent him, in turn, more than matched it.

Miqo'te males were territorial by nature, but for them, that was… as extreme as their other senses. In a way, even if Rahm and Shtola moved out to Mist, the residential district of Limsa Lominsa, for all of them, Rising Stones was their home long enough to see it as their territory. And considering that Shtola stayed there right now, waiting until they were done to give Raha at least some basic lesson in healing, he imagined that for his friend right now, the situation was somewhat like taking out the trash that entered his mate's general vicinity.

For Senri, that was that much more personal… and for the fact that bitch dared to put her paws on a man that would be his soulmate if gods were fair… she was going to pay a due to leave others aware that none harmed his lover – in any way – and lived to tell the tale. And considering his fame and still a considerable number of enemies… well, he planned to make it a spectacular one – so any that thought to get to him by ever thinking wrong about his cute redhead would be too afraid even to consider it.

And on the way here, he put together a plan of how to make it a lesson to stay with the viewers for a while…

"I…" his lover breathed, cleared his throat, and looked around, then took a deeper breath, and the next time he caught Senri's gaze, he raised his chin pointedly, lifted his hands, and wrapped them delicately around Warrior's face. He gladly leaned into his touch, smoothing his hands to loosely rest on his redhead's waist. "…I'm… proud to be yours, Sen. I… w-want to be yours, as long as you would have me."

"Forever, then," he purred insistently, leaning in to brush the tip of his nose against Raha's. His cute redhead blushed adorably but, with some hesitation, returned the affectionate gesture, and Senri downright melted internally, hoping his lover doesn't… freak out later. So after his lesson with Shtola, he would be free to lock him up in his bedroom and proceed to shower him with the affection his sweetness just… demanded!

And address that whole 'almost-slip' situation properly because he was quite dying to hear it in the correct circumstances.

…preferably while making him sing it in that sinful voice of his while he takes him…

"If you… w-want," Raha whispered, then bit his lower lip with uncertainty… and he had to kiss him, lured in helpless to resist despite their audience and the redhead's surprised gasp.

"Not to be a bother, buddy…" Rahm sounded like he was about to burst into a laugh. "…but some look about to get a stroke."

"Let them," he growled but reluctantly pulled back, smiling at his lover's lovely flush. "Of course, if you don't mind, babe… just couldn't stop myself, you're that cute."

"I… don't mind," Raha breathed, his flush growing darker as he licked his lips quickly… and the way his scent grew that tantalizing note…

Senri pulled his hands from him and looked away, feeling the pressure of his lover's need tug on his self-control… that wasn't that good in the first place, then cleared his throat and caught Rahm's amused stare.

"As for your earlier question… Remember Asahi?" he asked in a neutral tone and saw his friend's expression twitch with surprise, then a sharp, bloodthirsty grin bloom on his face.

"How could I ever forget," he drawled.

"That's my play…" he said, nodding toward the camp. "You, I'd need to serve with your Echo and as a witness."

"No problem," Rahm chuckled, dropping his arms to rest his hand on his hips while his blonde tail swiveled with anticipation.

"You," he smiled at his lover's slightly owlish look toward the other Warrior before Raha's eyes caught his again. "Go grab your things, hm? So we can leave here as soon as we're… done and return to the Toll, okay? We'll find that Rammbroes in the meantime, but wait until you're back before… having that talk."

"Ah… okay," Raha smiled sheepishly, then took a deep breath before turning to head, where Senri remembered that was the direction of his tent. "I'll be fast."

"Sure, babe," he said after him with a smile, but when Raha turned his gaze away, sent a murderous glare toward the people standing in his redhead's way. They had a good sense to look away with freight and move out of the way… promptly.

"There goes your reputation of being easy-going," Rahm chortled beside him.

"I very much am," he smirked toward him, then let his beast slip the leash for a brief moment, pleased when few still watching him backed away with terror. "…until someone threatens what's mine."

"I more than understand, brother," his friend chuckled- not scared in the slightest – clapping his hand against his shoulder. "Now, let's prepare the show, hm?"

"Let's," he nodded, and they headed toward the biggest tent. The blood in his veins slowly chilled to ice while his inner beast purrs grew louder, ringing with heady anticipation.